This coin article is
based on information posted on the official US government United States
Mint's website and various mint announcements.

Winter/Spring
2009

American Eagle Coins

Temporary Suspension

of
gold and silver coin production

The United
States government mint announced that they are suspending coin
production for proof American silver eagles and American Gold Eagle
coins.

As of the
date of this article no 2009 proof eagle coins have been minted.

What's the
Mint's problem?

Evidently the mint is
unable to obtain enough gold and silver coin blanks to make proof eagle
coins. This is due to the unprecedented demand for precious metals
due to the world economic crises.

However, currently the mint is making bullion 1
ounce silver and gold eagle coins to sell in
bulk to coin distributors. They say they can't produce enough to meet
the demand or to make proof and fractional size gold coins to sell to
coin collectors.

Here's what the mint says
about their problem making American Silver Eagle proofs and W mint mark
uncirculated coins:

"Production of United
States Mint American Eagle Silver Proof and Uncirculated Coins has been
temporarily suspended because of unprecedented demand for American Eagle
Silver Bullion Coins. Currently, all available silver bullion blanks are
being allocated to the American Eagle Silver Bullion Coin Program, as
the United States Mint is required by Public Law 99-61 to produce these
coins “in quantities sufficient to meet public demand . . . .”

"The United States Mint will resume the American Eagle Silver Proof and
Uncirculated Coin Programs once sufficient inventories of silver bullion
blanks can be acquired to meet market demand for all three American
Eagle Silver Coin products."

The US Mint is saying this about the American Gold Eagle
proofs and W mint mark uncirculated coins of various sizes:
"Production of United States Mint American Eagle Gold Proof and
Uncirculated Coins has been temporarily suspended because of
unprecedented demand for American Eagle Gold Bullion Coins. Currently,
all available 22-karat gold blanks are being allocated to the American
Eagle Gold Bullion Coin Program, as the United States Mint is required
by Public Law 99-185 to produce these coins “in quantities sufficient to
meet public demand . . . .”

"The United States Mint will resume the American Eagle Gold Proof and
Uncirculated Coin Programs once sufficient inventories of gold bullion
blanks can be acquired to meet market demand for all three American
Eagle Gold Coin products."

No
more small size American Gold Eagle Uncirculated coins?

According to the mint's most recent statement, collectors
will no longer be able to purchase fractional sizes of Gold Eagle W mint
coin:

"Additionally, as a
result of the recent numismatic product portfolio analysis, fractional
sizes of American Eagle Gold Uncirculated Coins will no longer be
produced."

Feb 2010 - News Update:

The United States Mint did not make any
proof gold or proof Silver American Eagle coins for 2009, despite
letters from our US Congressmen asking the mint to make them.

At this time, it is unknown if the US
Mint will produce 2010 proof eagle coins.